iPod / iTunes review

[windows version]

The hardware is clean and easy to use when concentrating on it. However, driving and trying to put your finger on the right pause, play FF or RW button is difficult. Make sure you set good playlists before you start driving. The iTunes software is moderate, it's simple but seems to lack certain information for moving the music ie authorizing and de-authorizing a computer. There is a very quick mention in the manual and help but it isn't very clear as to what the process does, nor is there a way to easily refresh the automatic list. Ie, I decide to reorg my music finally on the hard drive level and because of this I have duplicates in my list. Well, one phantom and one real instance of a song. I figured out if I delete the .xml file inthe itunes directory under My Music that contains your song list. I still wish that you can search on itunes and their music store by song decade. I know that leads into issues on reissued music but I think in those cases the music should be listed in both(or more) decades. ie 90's, 80's, 70's....

I wish there was a better way of creating playlists. It isn't very easy to do the On-the-go play lists. I have 2 and one of them is full of songs I would have never selected.

I wish there was a way to review just the software first. Most h/w devices are just memory/hd and playback. The software is the key. I read the Mac version is of course cleaner.

Still right now my ipod is saving my sanity at my job. I'm glad I have it. Thank you Karen.